2011 Full-Time MBA Blog

A proposed merger between the CA, CGA & CMA has been in the works for some time now, and we’ve just been notified by CMABC that the merger timeline will now happen much more quickly than anticipated. The merger is nation-wide and will see the CA & CMA (the CGA withdrew) join to become the CPA (Chartered Professional Accountants) designation. There is no formal relationship with the CPA in the USA, but they are working on reciprocal agreements.

The effect of this merger for you means that the only opportunity for entry into the existing CMA Accelerated Program will be this January, 2013.

There will not be a September 2013 entry as the existing CMA Accelerated Program will cease to exist after January.

If you have taken the combined CMA/MBA program and wish to pursue the designation you have 2 options:

Option 1 – less expensive and less time
Enter the CMA Accelerated program in January 2013 – you will go through the usual channels for MBA students (fast-tracked):

1. Accelerated Program
2. National Entrance Exam & Simulation Series
3. Case Exam & Prep Series
4. Board Report Written/Presentation
   Approximate cost for the above is $6,500

Option 2 – more expensive and more time
Enter the new CPA Accelerated Program in Aug-Sept 2013 or afterwards – you will go through the regular channels any student in the program would complete (no fast-track for MBA students). Other program details not known yet, but cost and time will be greater than Option 1.

The above information is not widely public yet – we are notifying you of this change because of the short timeline for planning to enter the January 2013 Accelerated Program.

The CMA will be finalizing all the details for the merger on Oct 3^rd, and we will organize for one of their staff to come in and explain all the details to you in mid-October.

In the meantime please consider whether or not you would like to apply for the January 2013 intake and I would encourage you to direct any specific questions to Shannon Thompson at the CMA: shannon@cmabc.com – (604) 484-7066

Due to an electrical shutdown of the Henry Angus Office Tower on Saturday, there will be NO access to the computer labs (HA045A and HA045C) between 7:30-8:30am.  The purpose of the shutdown is to tie in components of the UBC power grid to our building and while services are expected to be back up at around 8:30am, you might want to (just in case!) find alternative ways for computer access. 

Specialization Checks: If you are planning to declare a specialization or sub-specialization please do so prior to Monday Sept 24th. We will be conducting specialization checks after this date in order to ensure that all students who have declared a specific specialization/sub-specialization have the required modules. Please check your declaration on the SSC to ensure it’s correct. Send any new/revised declarations to askmba@sauder.ubc.ca. If you have not declared anything we won’t check anything for you.

Graduation Information: Now is the time to make sure you are on track – if you haven’t done so already please check the SSC to ensure you have all the required components for graduation:

MBA (Full-Time & Part-Time): 52.5 credits

• BA 500C: Core (18 credits)
• BA 520:  Career Development Program (1.5 credits)
• BA 510:  Internship/Industry Project (1.5 credits)
• BA 501:  Capstone Course (1.5 credits)
• 20 modules (1.5 credits each = 30 credits)

The specific graduation date for your class for May 2013 will be finalized and announced in November – the date will take place in the weeks of May 22-24 & May 27-29. The online application for graduation via the SSC will open in December and we will notify you when this is available.

You need to apply to graduate even if you are not planning to attend the ceremony. If you do not apply UBC will not confer your degree and you will have to wait until November 2013 in order for this to happen.

If you want to explore graduation in more detail at this time please refer to the UBC graduation page, but we will send you more information in November.

Please direct any questions to askmba@sauder.ubc.ca

December will be here before you know it!

Key dates to keep in mind:

• Week between P5 & P6
  • Exam week finishes on Sat Oct 13th
  • Mon Oct 15th all students required to attend Negotiations Mania (BCC)
  • No other required programming, but there is optional programming you may want to attend
• End of P6 & End of Program!
  • Exam week ends on Sat Dec 1st
  • MBA Gala Event on Sun Dec 2nd

The Period 5 exam schedule is now posted on the Sauder website here.  The exam schedule is also posted on your Vista site under:  Home Page› >Post-Core Modules> Schedules & Outlines.

Please note, if your module’s final evaluation is not listed please consult with your instructor. Also, the due dates and times for some final evaluations are subject to change depending on the instructor.

As per the Examination Policy:

• All exams, whether FT or PT, must be sat at the time stated in the exam schedule.
• Exams may not be re-arranged to accommodate students’ travel plans, irrespective of the reason for travelling.
• Extensions may only be granted by the MBA & ECM Programs Office for medical reasons.
• Students must notify the MBA & ECM Programs Office (askmba@sauder.ubc.ca) prior to the start of the exam if they are too ill to write.  A doctor’s note must be provided prior to the scheduling of a new exam date.

Any student with Examination Hardship defined as THREE or more exams within a 24-hour period should report this to the MBA & ECM Programs Office Programs Office (cherry.wang@sauder.ubc.ca) by no later than Wednesday, September 26th, 2012.

Failure to notify the MBA& ECM Programs Office of 3 exams within 24 hours by the deadline given may result in students not being able to have an alternate exam sitting.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email cherry.wang@sauder.ubc.ca.